In this week’s blog, we would like to introduce our 2020 Cambridge Half Marathon Runners! The Half Marathon will be on the 8th March starting on Midsummer Common before winding its way through the historic Cambridge centre. We have three runners braving the 13-mile race.
Firstly, meet Dave, Co-founder of Healx.
Why are you running the Cambridge Half Marathon?
Because I like helping charities, and it also provides the discipline to stay fit!
Why the AKU Society?
Nick Sireau has been very influential towards the founding of my company, Healx Ltd, which works on finding treatments for rare diseases.
What is your running history?
I have been running since school days (I am now 70 years old.) I ran marathons when I was younger.
An interesting fact about yourself?
Co-inventor on the patent of Viagra many years back.
Meet AKU PhD researcher Juliette Hughes
Why are you running the Cambridge Half Marathon?
The Cambridge half-marathon is an opportunity to challenge and push myself physically, but more importantly, it is a chance to raise as much money as possible for the AKU Society. 13 miles is further than it sounds and will be a tough few hours, however, living a life with AKU is comparatively much harder
Why the AKU Society?
I have spent the last 3 years studying and researching AKU. I am very aware of the challenges and difficulties that AKU patients experience. The AKU Society have, and continue to provide, an excellent support service for AKU patients that may have felt isolated due to the rare nature of the disease and unsure about their condition. Knowing that someone is there looking out for you and available to contact is just as valuable as the research the AKU Society also carry out. Rare disease societies deserve as much attention as common diseases!
What is your running history?
I ran the Liverpool Scouse 5k in October and last summer I ran 10km for another charity event, taking my total of 10km runs to 2 (once in training, once for the event). Up until then, I had run a few 5km charity events in previous years, but no serious running – until now! I am now fitter than ever and had joined a gym before signing up for this half-marathon – the classes have proved useful in pushing me to my limit!
An interesting fact about yourself?
I currently live in Liverpool but am actually from the most easterly town in the UK – Lowestoft in Suffolk! Myself and Rob (also running) both have an identical twin.
Meet Rob the Astrophysicist
Why are you running the Cambridge Half Marathon?
The Cambridge half-marathon will be the first long distance running event I have ever taken part in and Cambridge is the perfect place to start with a nice flat course.
Why the AKU Society?
I am running for the AKU Society as over the last 3 years I have heard about the great work it does supporting people living with such a rare and debilitating disease. The reason I know so much about the AKU society is because of my girlfriend, Juliette (who is also running), who has been researching AKU for her PhD.
What is your running history?
I have always been a sporty person, however, I have only ever taken part in one 5k running event – the 2019 Scouse 5k, before training for this event I would occasionally run 5k’s for fitness around Sefton Park in Liverpool and even managed 10k, once.
An interesting fact about yourself?
I am an astrophysicist studying the mysterious existence of dark matter within the universe.
If you would like to donate to their run and help raise vital funds for the AKU Society, please visit their JustGiving page
Keep an eye out on our social media channels for the “On the Day” blog discussing how exciting the race went!